Do any agents out there text or email?

Question

Maybe it's because I'm under forty and this is just the way it goes but is it possible to get an answer back via email or text?

I'm attempting to get more information on potential investment properties and I send clarifying questions to the agent. Why doesnt the agent just sent over answers? Why do they always try to call or outright refuse to answer unless it's on a call?

Erik Estrada · Answer

Because in Real Estate, when you have things in writing, they weigh a lot more than a phone call.

It will be very easy (especially for a rookie agent) to get their license suspended or face penalties if they provide misinformation because they did not know any better. Super common also when real estate agents or brokers are involved in some frauduelent activities.

Now you can make the argument that you can record the call, but I am not a lawyer so I would not be able to advise you on the legal implications when it comes to that. Just based on my experience a lot of agents keep communications through phone calls as more of a liability protection, even though it may or may not really help them.

Or maybe they just like hearing your voice? Too many guesses. I would just ask them kindly to keep communications to text messages or emails if that's what you prefer.

I know for myself, I have nothing to hide so I actually prefer text messaging and emails over phone calls.

Seth McGathey · Answer

@Jay Hinrichs I will say, I don't force texting/email on clients. Those are just my preferred methods. I always ask my clients what they prefer and work that way.

I will say I think it is somewhat generational though. Agents like myself in their 30s grew up texting. It is second nature to us. So where you say you would be texting all day, I say I don't want to be trapped on the phone all day. It takes me about 5 seconds or less to read, consider, and respond to most texts from clients. I also don't have yo stop everything for it. If a text comes in, I can finish what I am doing, read the message, and respond. If a client calls me, I have to stop what I am doing and answer. And then until we are done, I can't really do anything else. I have to be engaged in the conversation and maybe even taking notes. So now I am trapped and distracted from all other responsibilities. Plus, there are generally more time wasting niceties on a phone call. "Hi, how are you? How have you been?" All nice things, but unless you haven't texted in awhile, it is generally accepted that you will just get to the point as if the conversation from yesterday is still going.

Finally, I can create text and email scripts. Prewritten messages that don't change or minimally change for each client. So I can just copy and paste things like lists of next steps for a transaction, lists of recommended contacts, information about a property. Reading that all off is an unnecessary use of my time unless my client really just prefers the phone.

But again, what is most important is that your system works for both you and your client.

Seth McGathey · Answer

Personally, as an agent, I prefer text and email when possible. If we do a call, I need to make notes to make sure I don't forget anything. If we do it via text or email, the messages are my notes. So it probably all depends on the agent.

Nadeem Alamgir · Answer

If it's a decent opportunity and hasn't been sitting on the market, the agents are getting hammered not just by other buyer agents and buyers, but now also by an influx of wholesalers and seller financing buyers. This is what happens to me when I list a decent deal on the market. The best thing you can do is email/text them with all the details of your potential offer and include your questions. In most cases, if they have a co-agent that helps, but you'll need access to the MLS to get their contact info. Or just contact a buyer agent through Zillow or BiggerPockets so they can take over for you.

Alex Hileman · Answer

Hey Curt,

It really depends on the agent and their communication style. I have seen a lot of agents that do not respond to buyers who are not represented by an agent because they think they are wasting their time with leads that have not been vetted.

Jake Handler · Answer

Often the listing agent is not the person receiving the inquiry if you are inquiring through a site like Zillow.  Agents pay for that click as a lead source.

Now I realize that totally does not answer your question and may actually be more confusing as to why you don't get a response, but it is an important distinction nonetheless.

Tom S. · Answer

@Curt S.  I find many agents call for the first conversation to discuss in detail you and what you're looking for, then email or text after that.

They probably also want to verify the number isn't just an automated "bot" so they're not wasting their time.

Ezekiel Trevino · Answer

It depends on the agent. Some agents perfer you call them rather than text them. While other agents pefer a text than a call. I had one agent I tried calling but didn't answer the phone or called back when I left a voicemail. But when I texted the agent, the agent responded.

I guess some agents are comfortable texting, and other agents are comfortable with calls.

Do any agents out there text or email?

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